The missionary’s decision to separate in order to minister and help the new believers was confirmed to be the right thing to do. The good report was and blessing and an encouragement to them as they reunited in Corinth. Luke recorded the encouragement these men bought to Paul upon their return –

Acts 18:5 And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.

– To do more!!

I pray today that we will be able to see ourselves reflected in the verses. If not, I trust we will acknowledge our need to the Lord and seek His forgiveness and the Holy Spirit’s leadership in transforming our lives according to the testimonies presented before us.

Let’s look at –

1. The Return. 1 Thessalonians 3:6a “…Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings…”

Hearing good news is wonderful, but delivering good news has a special reward of its own. The one is anxious to hear news but the other has joyful anticipation of arriving and presenting the message which will bring forth rejoicing from those that hear it. I am sure that both Silas and Timothy were rejoicing as they traveled to Corinth to share the blessings of God upon His people.
When we consider waiting for news and bringing news, we understand that God has created us to be able to react accordingly to the situations we face.

At times we receive bad news. Consider this –

Just say we are faced with a lion approaching – hormones are released which prepare us for what is commonly called “fight or flight”. Adrenalin is pumped in, sucrose is increased, and unnecessary functions are closed down. It is like a ship that hit an object in the sea and began to sink. The compartments that are not necessary at this time are closed off, the passageways for escape are cleared and all of the crew, from captain to cook, are called to do what is necessary to save lives. Remember the actions of the crew of the ship that Jonah was on? All were called out to save the ship and all unnecessary things were thrown overboard. Staying alive became the immediate priority and everything else was of secondary importance.

God has created us to be able to rise to the occasion and overcome the danger – “Save the Ship or lower the lifeboats”!

Now let’s consider good news – Notice our common greetings:

“How are you today”, “Ni Hao Ma?”, “Apa Khabar”. Each greeting looks for a positive answer – Good News! When we hear good news it is like fireworks are going off – awesome beauty!

No really – Consider this –

Psalm 139:14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

With the technology that is available today, a discovery has been made that each time a person receives good news, the brain shoots off a sort of fireworks display through the release of the chemical dopamine. An emotional and physical pleasure is related to receiving good news. Have you considered how much good news affects you?

In a 2013 report, smartphone users open their Facebook pages an average of 14 times each day. Now, why would someone do that? Before this technology was available, people rushed to answer the telephone or looked for the post to arrive. Why? We all have the desire to hear news and we especially look for good news. The Lord has a special desire that we hear good news and also, delight in delivering good news.

Romans 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

Proverbs 15:30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: –

You can see good news in a person’s eyes. This is the blessing of face to face communication, you can see it before you hear it!

– and a good report maketh the bones fat.

Proverbs 25:25 As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

Knowing these things we can understand the Delight of the missionaries in giving and
receiving –

2. The Report. 1 Thessalonians 3:6b

The report consisted of three identifying marks of the work of God –

a. Faith and love. “…faith and charity…”

1 Corinthians 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Philemon 5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;

1 John 3:23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

b. Fidelity. “…ye have good remembrance of us always.”

The Macedonians showed forth a loyalty and love for their teachers. As the saying goes “Gone, but not forgotten”!

c. Fellowship.

A child of God loves the Lord and His people. “…desiring greatly to see us…”. Remember how that from the beginning of creation, God desired to fellowship with His people –

Genesis 3:8 “And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day….”

Genesis 5:22 “And Enoch walked with God …”

Genesis 6:9 “…Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.”

Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

When we have God in us, we have this same desire, to be with Him and with His people.

The good report brought forth –

3. The Response. 1 Thessalonians 3:7-10

The good news blessed the missionaries such that –

a. They were encouraged that all they had suffered in bringing the truth to the Macedonians
was worthwhile! 3:7,8 “…we were comforted…” “…For now we live…”

b. They were encouraged to praise God and pray for the saints. 3:9
c. They were encouraged to preach to them again and teach them more of the wonderful grace of
God! 3:10

Reflecting on the results of their Decision and rejoicing in their Delight, they set forth –

C. Their Desire. 3:11-13 “…That he (God) may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, and the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.”

The purpose of the ministry was more than seeing people saved, but to see them sanctified, set apart unto the Lord in holiness that the commission of the Lord Jesus Christ would be fulfilled in the world –

“Ye shall be witnesses unto me…”

Conclusion:
As we asked last week, are you willing, as they were, to step away from what you consider to be your safety and security and trust the Lord to keep you safe and secure, away from your comfort zone to present the truth of the Gospel to others?

Do you recognize their delight in serving the Lord? Do you want to?

Do you have the desire to do more to establish others in the faith and demonstrate a holy life in the Lord?

Do you know the Lord as your Saviour?

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About sjbjburke

I am an evangelist that enjoys Bible study and I look forward to posting outlines and receiving helpful comments. My wife and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary in 2010 and we enjoy serving the Lord together.